Davidson returns to Arizona, reflects on journey

White Sox third baseman was drafted by D-backs in 2013

May 24th, 2017

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to be special to Matt Davidson, the White Sox third baseman who has broke out this season with eight home runs and 23 RBIs.
"This was my favorite team growing up, and my first Major League game I ever went to," said Davidson, who was selected 35th overall by the D-backs in the 2009 Draft. "It seemed a lot bigger the first time I played here in my debut. It seems like it shrunk a little bit since my first time up.
"It was a pretty cool experience. I'm really excited to be back here, and grew up here and went through the Minor Leagues and everything. It's really cool."
Davidson had three homers and 12 RBIs in 31 games for Arizona in 2013. He was traded for closer that offseason, then struggled in two seasons with Triple-A Charlotte. His bounce-back '16 campaign came to a close after one Major League game, due to a broken right foot suffered while running the bases.
Davidson spent two years reconfiguring and refining his swing, which has paid dividends. It seems like a long journey since he was rooming with Arizona infielder Chris Owings, as they came up through the Minors.
"That seems like forever ago, it really does," said Davidson, who hit into a double play as a pinch-hitter Monday. "I guess it was four years now. A lot of good memories here, and I can't thank them enough for everything they taught me."
Putnam takes the mound
Zach Putnam threw off the mound Tuesday at Chase Field for the first time since leaving a game early April 22 with right elbow inflammation.
"I'm not going to say it was fantastic and it feels brand new, but it certainly doesn't feel bad," Putnam said. "So, no setbacks. We are going to continue to build.
"I couldn't tell you to the day, but I think it has been about a month. Even if you have a completely healthy arm, you know a month off the mound and you get back up there, you will have some aches and pains. I'm not disappointed. I'm not frustrated. I've got to build up."

Putnam has thrown some flat-ground bullpens, and after throwing on Sunday in Seattle, he felt good enough to graduate to the mound. But after removal of bone chips in his right elbow in 2016, Putnam learned the rehab process is not necessarily a linear one.
"There's going to be some ups, and there will be some downs," Putnam said. "If it were just kind of every other day you go throw and you feel a little better than last time, that would be great. I would love that. But it's not always that way. I learned that last year. I'm just trying to be cognizant of that as we go forward."
Avi out of action
was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with flu-like symptoms. Manager Rick Renteria said Garcia played through the same problem Monday, before waking up and feeling ill Tuesday.